Trinidad and Tobago is best recognized as the land of Calypso and Steelpan, however
during the Christmas season, the music is Parang.

Parang comes from the Spanish word know as "parranda" (action of merry making,
group of serenaders). In Trinidad it refers to folkloric music of Hispanic American
origins. In Dominican Republic the music is called "arguinaldo". Parang's origin
are controversial. First theory of parang music originted during Christianity of
Amerindians by French Clergy Indians in (Spanish) Missions. This does not explain
the frequent references to Venezuela and the second theory is that parang music was
introduced by Venezuelans imported to work in the cocoa estates which has some merit.
Definitely, the close interactions with Venezuelans where parang is also played has
matured to a popular form of music not only in Trinidad & Tobago but throughout
the Caribbean.

Parang bands would move from house to house in neighbourhood serenading to family and
friends during festive seasons. It would be customary for families to greet the Paranderos
with drinks and food, following specific steps or rituals that accompanied the entry to a
home, the dedication of songs to a host, the eating and drinking, and the departure.
The festive season begin in mid October and goes approximately to January 6 which is the
feast of Epiphany. The resulting atmosphere would be that of happiness, togetherness and the
joy of good Christmas lime that continue to the early hours of the morning.

The traditional lyrics of parang which was sung in Spanish were mainly Religious and
Christian songs. Today there are new and different styles and categories of parang called
Aguinaldos (also known as Serenales), Guarapos and Despendidas. In the last several years
Soca and Calypso have fused with parang creating Soca-Parang with lyrics in English which
appeal to the North American Christmas with Santa and lots of gifts. In addition, in recent
times Indian drumming and Chutney melodies mixed with parang has evolved into a whole new
revolution of parang.

Some top parang entertainer included the late Daisy Voisin who was consider the
Queen of Parang and entertainers Lara brothers, Los Ninos del Mundo, Sharlene Flores,
Marcia Miranda and Scrunter.

Parranderos announce their arrival in song and seek to gain entry to the homes of family and friends to relate the story of the birth of Christ, and to share in the joy of the message of Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men.

Anunciacion

Describing the conversation between the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary.

Nacimiento

A song about the birth of Christ.

Guarapo

A song based on any topic.

Joropo

Song similar in style to the Spanish waltz.

Vals (Castillian)

A secular song with a slow waltz tempo.

Salsa

A Latin style of music.

Manzanare

A Manzanare is a Venezuelan waltz celebrating different things about the Manzanare river of Cumana, Venezuela.

Estribillo

An Estribillo is a very lively sing along song in which you call and answer.

Despedida

This is a song to give thanks for the joy of sharing, and to say farewell to the host, until the next Christmas.

Parang Bands

A La Rio Suave

Amantes de Parranda (Barataria)

Amores de Musica

Armonias Divinas Parang Group

Ay Caramba

Brasso Seco Parranderos

Canciones Melodicas of Santa Cruz

Carib Santa Rosa

Carib Shaman

Con Amor

Courts Rio Senores

Courts Ruisenores (Pointe-a-Pierre)

D New Image Serenaders

Del Caribe

Dulzura Caliente

El Cantaro

El Sabor (St. Joseph, Maracas)

Flores de San Jose

Fuego Caribeño (San Fernando)

G. Sharp and Friends

Homer Parranderos (Vega de Oropouche Toco Main Road)

levantamientos Petrtrin

La Bendicion All Star Serenaders (Maracas St. Joseph)

La Casa Parranda (Princes Town)

La Libertad

La Divina Pastora

La Estrella de Oriente

La Familla Alegria

La Familia de Camona y Amigos (Edinburgh Gardens Phase 3, Chaguanas)

La Familia De Rio Claro

La Familia De San Raphael (Gallon)

La Finca Paranda

La Rio de Maria

La Ruseda de Agua (Diego Martin)

La Sagrada Familia

La Santa Familia

La Santa Maria

La Tropical

Lara Brothers (Cantaro Village, Santa Cruz)

Las Buenos Nuevas

Las Canciones Melodians

Las Estrellita de Oriente

Lopinot Paranderos

Los Alacranes from Paramin

Los Alumnos de San Juan

Los Amantes de Parranda

Los Amigos Cantadores (Trincity)

Los Amigos De Jesus (La Canoa, Santa Cruz)

Los Amigos en Musica

Los Buenos Paranderos (El Dorado)

Los Caballeros

Los Caneros

Los Cantadores de Brazil

Los Campaneros

Los Cantos de Amor

Los Dinamicos

Los Hermanos Lara

Los Hombres

Los Merenquados

Los Muchachos del Agua

Los Mundo Nuevo

Los Ninos de Santa Rosa

Los Ninos del Mundo

Los Numeros

Los Originales (Diego Martin)

Los Paramininos

Los Paranderos Amigos

Los Paranderos de UWI (UWI - St. Augustin)

Los Pastores (Palo Seco)

Los Pavitos

Los Reyes (formerly Los Muchachos del Agua)

Los Reyes de la Colina (Santa Rosa Heights, Arima)

Los Tocadores

Los Vikingos de San Jose (St. Joseph)

Moments Parang Group

Morella Montano and the Maraval Folk Choir

Mucho Tempo

Muy Caliente (Moruga)

Nuestra Cosa

Paramininos (Paramin, Maraval)

Petrotrin Levanta Miento

Rancho Quernado

Rebuscar

Renacer (Chaguanas)

Rio Suave Los Buenos Parranderos (Barataria)

Sabor del Caribe (Cunupia, Chaguanas)

Salsa Picante

San Antonios de Paranderos (Diego Martin)

San Jose Serenaders

Sancouche (Point Fortin)

Santa Rosa Serenaders

Sensacion (San Fernando)

St Augustine's Son del Sueno

Sun Valley Parang Group

Sylvan Bharat Tassa Group (Debe)

T&TEC Luces Brillantes

Tobago Serenaders (Bon Accord)

Un Amor

Unidad Serenaders (Mt Pleasant, Arima)

Viva Nueva

Voces de Promesa (Dinsley Village, Tacarigua)

Voces Jovenes (Diego Martin)

If you know any parang band that are not listed/changed........please email me the parang band information. Thanks for your input!